Our Lenten journey begins with the imposition of ashes and communion on Ash Wednesday, Wednesday, March 6, at 7:00 p.m., in the UPC Sanctuary.

During the season of Lent, we invite you into a season of intentional discipleship. As disciples, or followers of Jesus Christ, we walk this path toward Easter in preparation to hear again the Good News of the God’s love for us and for the world. Lent continues for 40 days, not including Sundays, and concludes with the Great Vigil, the third part of our Great Three Days Triduum Service. Join us on the journey to Easter Sunday!

Subscribe to the UPC podcasts of sermons and other pertinent information. You can subscribe to our podcast through

Amplify Austin, a single day of giving, is an opportunity to support smaller nonprofits and ministries like UPLift. Our goal for 2019 is $12,000, through online contributions large and small, donated from 6:00 p.m., February 28 to 6:00 p.m., March 1.

Every gift counts, and you can schedule your gifts ahead of time.

Donate during the Power Hour, between 9 and 10:00 a.m. on Friday. If we get the most donations of all small nonprofits, we win additional dollars!

Tito's Vodka will add $5 to every donation if you enter
#LoveTitos as you complete your secure online donation. Simple, easy, and so worth it to the organizations you love!

UPLIFT PANTRY NEEDS THIS WEEK

Strawberry preserves - we use two jars a week!

Breakfast bars

WELCOME, BRIAN ELLISON, TO THE PULPIT THIS SUNDAY

The Reverend Brian Ellison has served as Executive Director of the Covenant Network of Presbyterians since 2012, preaching, teaching and leading its mission of advocacy and education for LGBTQ people in congregations and councils throughout the church. Previously, he served as pastor of Parkville Presbyterian Church (near Kansas City, Missouri) for 13 years. Brian also currently serves the General Assembly as a member of its Permanent Judicial Commission; he has chaired several other General Assembly committees. He is also Associate Stated Clerk of the Synod of Mid-America.

A graduate of Harvard University and Princeton Theological Seminary, Brian also is host/contributor at Kansas City's NPR affiliate, KCUR. He and his partner, Troy Lillebo, live in Kansas City, Missouri.

ABOUT THE COVENANT NETWORK

OF PRESBYTERIANS

The mission of the Covenant Network of Presbyterians is to strengthen the church of Jesus Christ, with the help of God's grace. We are called to achieve this goal by working for the unity of the church, furthering the inclusion of LGBTQ persons, seeking understanding and reconciliation, and joining with others seeking a still more just and inclusive church.

Stephanie Holmsten for getting UKirk connected to the University of Texas

Carter King for beginning the conversation of wheelchair access

Jon Eddison and Bill Greenway for teaching the Parenting and Faith classes

Kailey Gray for her service as a Youth Advisor

Michelle Ruiz for co-sponsoring Midwinters at Mo-Ranch

Natalie and Edith Holmsten for working in the nursery while staff ws on vacation

The congregation for their donations of canned goods for the Souper Bowl of Caring

UPC SESSION APPROVES AFFIRMING STATEMENT

Last week at its regular meeting, the UPC session approved a statement to govern UPC in its ministries of hospitality and welcome. The statement reads:

University Presbyterian Church strives to embody God’s love for the diversity of creation by affirming the dignity of all persons as created in God’s image. We welcome people of all races, cultures, sexual orientations, gender expressions, and socio-economic status in all ministries of the church.

In bringing this language to the session, the Christian Formation and UKirk committees spoke of a need for UPC to be a place where people in our midst could ask the questions they need to ask and be assured they are in a safe environment. This statement is intended to define the measure of that safe space. It is not meant to be the end of building. It is, instead, a commitment to doing together the work required of us as we seek to embody God’s broad welcome in everything that we do.

Does your child love to sing around the house? It is not too late to sing the anthem with Laudate on March 10. The choir meets 9:15-10:00 a.m. on Sundays in room 210. All are welcome through 8th grade.

On behalf of the Christian Formation Committee, I would like to extend an invitation to all of our members to consider signing up to lead in one of our Sunday morning children's programs. Here is what it looks like to lead:

Leaders sign up for a three-Sunday block of classes called a "unit." We have substitutes available, so even if you have to miss one of the Sundays in your unit, we've got your back. We are currently looking for leaders in our last two units of the year:

March 17, 24, 31 and May 5, 12, 19

There are three time slots available on Sunday mornings with various leadership roles in each. You can sign up for any of the following roles:

9:30 - 9:55 a.m.

Check in Table Greeter

Sweaty Sundays Leader

10:10 - 10:50 a.m.

ARK Class Leader (younger elementary)

Treehouse Class Leader (older elementary)

11:15 - 12:00 a. m.

Bridge to Worship Leader

Class and Bridge to Worship leaders will be sent their "pick up and teach" lesson plan in advance. Our Christian Formation Program Facilitators, Adrielle and Rachel, will prepare your classroom with all the supplies, samples, and printed materials you will need. They will also annotate the lesson plan to make it as easy to follow as possible. Adrielle and Rachel will also be on hand on Sunday mornings in case you need any assistance with the lesson.

Signing up is easy! Clicking the red button below will take you to a Google Doc. Locate the unit and role you would like to lead and type in your name. Once your name is typed in, you can navigate away from the page. You do not need a Google or Gmail account to sign up.

If this is your first time signing up to lead in Christian Formation, you will receive an email from the church office with instructions on completing a brief, online, and confidential Background Check. This is standard for all adults who work with children and youth at UPC. One-on-one orientation and training is also available for first time leaders! To request an orientation or leader training, please contact
Pastor John to schedule a time that works for you.

We are so grateful for your consideration and taking seriously our baptismal vows to nurture our children in the faith of the Church. Thank you for your time and your commitment to Christian Formation at UPC!

The Liberal Arts Refugee Alliance (LARA) is a UT student organization that provides students with volunteer and educational opportunities supporting Austin's refugee population. LARA is hosting a series of events for Refugee Awareness Week, March 4 through 8.

Their second event of Refugee Awareness Week will be a Salaam Supper, a gathering of friends, family, colleagues and/or members of our community for a meal to learn about refugees and to raise awareness and funding to support their welcome. Salaam Suppers are an awareness program of Refugee Services of Texas.

LARA has graciously offered 10 spaces at the Salaam Supper to members of the UPC community. The supper will be in the UPC Great Hall Tuesday, March 5, at 7:00 p.m. Reservations are on a first come, first serve basis. If you'd like to attend, please email Jan at
upc@upcaustin.org by March 1.

CELEBRATIONS & CONCERNS

Please pray for all those who are suffering abuse in any form.

If you are in an abusive relationship, tell a trusted person. Your pastors care about you, and we can get you help.

National Domestic Abuse Hotline

1-800-799-7233

Texas Abuse Hotline

1-800-252-5400

Celebrations and Concerns of the congregation are published weekly and include prayers and people to pray for. You can download the folder here for Sunday, February 24, 2019. You may also pick up a copy outside the church office or in the narthex.

To have a deacon pray with you, look for the Deacon of the Day on the pulpit side front of the sanctuary any Sunday following the postlude.

UPC's Prayer Chain is a group of faithful prayer warriors who commit to praying for people throughout the week. If you'd like to be part of the Prayer Chain, click the button below. You will receive periodic emails (no more than one per day), with specific requests from members to pray. Thank you for your faithfulness in prayer.